EIA: Coal generation decreases in 2022 but overall US emissions increase
Published by Will Owen,
Editor
World Coal,
According to a recent release from the EIA, US coal-related CO2 emissions decreased by 7%, or 68 million t, in 2022 relative to 2021. This decrease was largely due to an 8% decline in coal-fired power generation because of retiring coal-fired generating capacity. Changes in electricity generation sources decreased the carbon intensity of electricity by 4% in the US in 2022, as growing natural gas-fired and renewable energy resources and a coal supply shortage contributed to the lower coal-related emissions.
Overall, US energy-related CO2 emissions increased slightly in 2022 to 4.939 billion t from 4.905 billion t in 2021, driven by a 2% increase in transportation sector emissions and a combined 1% increase in the residential and commercial sectors, according to the EIA’s newly released annual report on energy-related carbon emissions. Industrial sector emissions declined by 2% as industrial activity decreased by 3% over the period.
The decline in coal emissions last year is part of a longer-term trend. Overall, coal emissions have fallen 57% from their peak of 2.180 billion t in 2005.
The coal supply shortage was the result of production and consumption dynamics over the last several years. Between 2017 to 2019, coal production declined by 9%, mostly because of decreasing global coal demand and increasing competition from natural gas. US coal production decreased by an additional 24% in 2020 because of a coal surplus in 2019 coupled with lower electricity demand due to pandemic-related economic impacts. Demand for coal returned during 2H21 as the US economy returned to pre-pandemic activity. Coal inventories began to decrease because coal was used to meet rising demand.
To read the rest of the EIA’s release, complete with graphs, click here.
Read the article online at: https://www.worldcoal.com/coal/07122023/eia-coal-generation-decreases-in-2022-but-overall-us-emissions-increase/
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